§ Ms LynneTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what factors account for the fall in the take-up of income support amongst eligible pensioners between the years 1993–94 and 1994–95; and what policies are being adopted by his Department to address this matter. [5667]
§ Mr. Roger EvansIt is not possible to identify separately all contributory factors. Pensioner take-up may be expected to change up or down from year to year in response to small changes in the relative sizes of income support and retirement pension at each annual uprating. Between 1993–94 and 1994–95 income support was uprated by slightly more than retirement pensions. This meant that some pensioners became entitled to small amounts of income support, which may have been left unclaimed. Research has shown that people are more likely to leave unclaimed small amounts of benefit; in 1994–95, 30 per cent. of pensioners appearing as entitled non-recipients in the survey were leaving unclaimed amounts less than £5.
The Benefits Agency provides information which is comprehensive, accurate, accessible and easily understood which enables people to establish their eligibility. The DSS, including its agencies, is spending nearly £9 million 397W on publicity in the current financial year. The claiming of benefit is a matter of personal choice and there will always be those who choose not to make a claim. The important point is that a wide range of benefits are available for those who do wish to do so.